PERRY - The Oatkan Knights were not caught looking ahead to their upcoming Friday the 13th battle with the Hornell Red Raiders. The task at hand on Friday eve was to prepare for the Hornell contest with a strong performance against the Perry Yellowjackets. Coach Brian Moran stressed the importance of 'physical' football and having all 3 aspects of the team meshing in high gear - offense, defense, and special teams. The Knights were 'spot on' in their quest as they vanquished an overmatched Perry squad by a 48-0 tally as the offense (25 first downs, 265 rushing and 181 passing yards), defense (15 yards rushing allowed and 5 interceptions made), and special teams (excellent kickoff coverage continually pinning the locals back deep in their own territory) played with discipline and intensity.

Alex "Hit Man" DiFrancisco started the night off well for the Knights as he and his teammates clobbered the Perry kick returner at the Yellowjacket 20 to start the game. The series would go for minus 5 yards and a subsequent punt to the Knights, which they covered at the Perry 42.

The Knights showcased the slashing running of Ian Humphrey (runs of 12 and 19 yards) and the relentless pounding of fullback Brady Bonacquisti (11 yards) to reach the end zone just over 3 minutes into the contest. An overzealous encroachment by the Perry D placed the ball at the 1.5 yard line on the PAT attempt so the Knights opted for a 2-point conversion. Tommy Bestor and Bonacquisti led the way for an easy run conversion by Humphrey and the Knights were up 8-0.

Perry would again have a difficult drive start as the LeRoy kickoff coverage was superb, putting the Yellowjackets at the 20 once more. The locals were able to connect on a 6 yd pass before a 3rd down fumble by Perry QB Heath Hendrickson moved the ball back to the 17, forcing a punt by Kyle Campbell. More excellent field position for the Knights - the Perry 45.

QB Mark Bennetti showed great senior poise running the ball to the Perry 33 after a 2-yd pickup by Humphrey. 33 yards from the end zone, Bennetti hooked up with a wide open Chad Condidorio for the Knights' second TD at the 5:55 mark. Travis Fenstermaker added the PAT boot to move the score to LeRoy 15, Perry 0.

Perry received the ball at their 35 after a kickoff aimed toward the sideline just managed to go OB before the Knights could fall on it. Perry QB Hendrickson started to find some rhythm in the passing department as the LeRoy defense led by Kevin Brady, Marcus Epps, Chuck Brandes, John Whiting, Travis Fenstermaker, and Brady Bonacquisti were impenetrable up the middle. One nifty play saw the Perry receiver snag a beautifully thrown slant by Hendrickson and keep his balance through some would-be tacklers before being brought down by the tenacious Ian Humphrey. First-and-goal for Perry at the LeRoy 5. The 'Jackets tried pounding up the middle to no avail on 1st and 2nd downs and then were stymied on the option run outside by Fenstermaker on 3rd down. The start of the 2nd quarter brought up a critical 4th-and-goal that saw the Knights stop athletic RB Kyle Campbell short of paydirt at the 2. The Knights took over.

The Knights moved the ball out from near their goal line effectively with the running of Humphrey, Bonacquisti, and backup QB Fenstermaker who managed a 22-yd gain out to the 37. The Perry defense did rise to the challenge of the Knights' hard-charging offense and stopped the visitors on downs for an excellent drive start from the LeRoy 38.

More run stuffing by the Knights, but also more effective, no-huddle passing by Perry QB Hendrickson moved the ball to the LeRoy 13 yard line. Remember, at this point the game was still just 15-0 and now the Perry squad was knocking at the door. The Knights managed to stop a potential lead-splitting score with excellent defense turned in by Alex DiFrancisco (big stop on a 3rd down option play) and Chad Condidorio (excellent pass coverage on a potential TD toss).

The Knights moved the ball well with recently returned WR Craig Tiberio helping the Knights move the chains with some fine receptions tossed his way by Bennetti. A rare interception stopped the drive and Perry gained possession with just 2 minutes remaining until intermission.

Hendrickson wasted no time, once again moving the ball well for the Yellowjackets through the air via some nicely timed quick-hitting throws. Four balls thrown in the drive were completed. The fifth however landed in the mitts of the omnipresent LeRoy LB Brady Bonacquisti who gave the Knights possession at the 41 with 30 seconds left until half-time. One second remained on the clock when Bennetti found Tiberio in the end zone from 13 yards out to put a dagger in the Perry squad's upset hopes. The score read 21-0 Knights at intermission.

The Knights received the 2nd half kickoff and Ian Humphrey delivered with a stellar run to the LeRoy 45. LeRoy moved the ball 30 yards on 4 plays with Brady Bonacquisti ripping through the Perry D by virtue of the upfront blocking and surge of the O-line. Mark Bennetti hooked up for his 3rd TD toss of the night with a 25-yard strike to Travis Fenstermaker who was having just a superb evening on both sides of the ball. 27-0 at the 9:24 mark of the 3rd quarter.

More trouble for the Yellowjackets. The special teams force of Tom Bestor, Jourdain Holly, and Alex DiFrancisco once again laid a lick on the Perry kick returner at the Perry 27. Soon after, Bennetti picked off a Perry pass attempt to give the black helmets possession at the Perry 39. More Bonacquisti blasts up the gut (including an awesome second effort plow for 15 yards) set up a 13-yard TD scamper by the elusive Humphrey to move the Knights' lead to 34-0 just halfway through the 3rd quarter.

A Perry 3-and-out left the Knights 60 yards from the end zone. Three plays later - a 27-yd catch by Justin Becker, a 9-yd grab by Craig Tiberio (followed by a roughing call), and a 12-yd TD toss to Travis Fenstermaker (Bennetti's 4th TD toss) pushed the score to 40-zip.

The next Perry possession would be foiled by a Fenstermaker pickoff of the once hot Hendrickson. As the 3rd quarter ended, the yellow flags were a-flying as late hits, cheap shots on grounded ball carriers, and even a spearing became the M.O. for the Perry defense.

Mark Bennetti would notch his 5th TD after fine running by Humphrey and Bonacquisti at the start of the 4th quarter as he threw 2 well-timed quick slants to Justin Becker for a 7-yd score and subsequent 2-pt. PAT to push the score to the final of 48-0 Knights.

The 4th quarter saw the Knights intercept 2 more passes (Tiberio and Condidorio), tough defense by Evan Calmes, and some gritty running by Kory Cosimeno (led by the blocking of his FB Steve Smith) and the rugged Travis Fenstermaker.